Paul Pogba marked his return to European competition with a start in MonacoS Europa League tie against Pafos on November 26, 2025, while former chelsea defender David Luiz, now playing for Pafos, rekindled familiar rivalries on the pitch. The match, held at the Neo GSP Stadium in Nicosia, Cyprus, ended in a 2-1 victory for Pafos.
Pogba’s appearance signaled a notable step in his comeback from a doping suspension and a serious knee injury. The 31-year-old midfielder, who last played in a major European competition in August 2022, started as a central midfielder for monaco, aiming to regain his form and contribute to his team’s Europa League campaign. Concurrently, the presence of 37-year-old David Luiz provided a nostalgic element to the fixture, recalling numerous intense encounters during his time in the English Premier League. Pafos secured the win with goals from Julen Fernández and Giannis Kousoulos, while Monaco‘s sole goal came from Aleksandr Golovin.
Luiz, who joined Pafos in July 2025 after leaving Flamengo, faced off against Pogba in a competitive setting for the first time in several years, evoking memories of their battles in the Premier League when Luiz played for Chelsea and Pogba for Manchester United. The veteran Brazilian defender completed 90 minutes, demonstrating his continued resilience and commitment to the game.Monaco currently sits in third place in europa League Group E with three points, trailing Pafos (six points) and OGC Nice (six points). The result places pressure on Monaco to perform in their remaining group stage matches to secure qualification for the knockout stages. pogba’s performance was closely watched as he seeks to rebuild his career following a challenging period marked by injury and suspension.
